Half to morris wisel and christina ohl



2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. CHRIST. FOLDING BED.

6N0 Model.)

Patented Feb. 18, 1896.

INVENTOR; W I By his Attomqvg, m 3 (as WITNESSES MW M 6 ANDREW mum.vnmoumoqmgwmqm.

(No Model.) r 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. CHRIST.

FOLDING BED. No. 554,653. Patented-Feb. 18, 1896.

By his Atzomeys,

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB CHRIST, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, OF ONE- I'IALF TO MORRIS WISEL AND CHRISTINA OHL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FOLDING BED.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,653, dated February 18, 1896. Application filed November 21, 1892. Serial No. 452,737. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JACOB CHRIST, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York,

5 have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Beds, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding beds and similarfolding articles of the class constructed with a fixed case and a folding-bed section and intermediate counterbalancing provisions for resisting the unfolding tendency of said section.

The invention aims to provide an improved I device of this character which will be simple, cheap and durable of construction, easy of operation, and in which the bed-section can be readily adjusted to the case and can be easilymaintained in its respective positions,

and. also aims to provide improved counterbalancing provisions.

To this end, in carrying out the preferred form of my invention I provide an improved pivotal connection between the parts, means 2 5 for adjusting this connection to properly dispose the parts, improved counterbalancing provisions and certain structural features of improvement, all of which will be fully hereinafter set forth.

0 In the accompanyingdrawings, which illustrate certain adaptations of my invention, Figure 1 is a fragmentary vertical section of a folding bed constructed according to the preferred form of my invention, the folding sec- 3 5 tion being in the closed position and partly broken away to show the pivotal connection. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the parts in the open position. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2, on a 40 larger scale. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 4 4 in Fig. 1 and on the same scale as Fig. 2, and Fig. 5 is aview corresponding to Fig. 1 and showing a modification.

Referring to the drawings, I will now describe the preferred form of my invention as applied to a folding bed of the class in which the pivotal connection between the parts is on a stationary axis.

Let A indicate the fixed case, B the folding section, and O the pivotal connection as a whole.

unfolded position. h

The bed-section B may be of any construction. As shown it consists of side boards, I, top board, J, legs K, pivoted thereto at the outer end, front or bottom board, L, and headboard N. As thus far described the case A and section B are of usual construction.

The pivotal connection 0 may be of any known construction which will permit the requisite folding and unfolding movements. That shown consists of the usual pivotal stud a on one part engaging a fixed axial recess or socket b on the other part.

My invention provides means whereby the relative position of the section and case can be adjusted to bring them into proper coincidence. This may be variously accomplished; but I prefer to accomplish it in the manner shown, wherein the parts constituting the pivotal conn ection C are adj ustably connected to either the case A or the section B in such manner that by operating the adjustable connection the position of the section relatively to the -case can be varied. In the construction shown the stud a is carried by a plate M rigidly secured to the side board, D, of the case, and-the socket b is formed in a plate 0, which latter is adjustably connected to a clamping-plate P rigidly secured to the side board, I, of the section B. The plate 0 is preferably constructed with a shouldered 0 head 0 having slotted recesses d and the clamping-plate P is preferably constructed with shoulders e engaging those of the head 0, and constructed with beveled faces against which the shoulders of the head 0 seat, and 5 carries clamping-screws f which traverse the recesses 61 and serve to draw the head 0 into rigid engagement with the clamping-plate P when tightened. By this provision when the screws fare loosened the section B can be moved relatively to the plate 0 until the desired adjustment is obtained, whereupon bytightening the screws the shoulders of the head 0 will be brought into intimate engagement with those of the clamping-plate P,thereby preserving such position of the section B relatively to the plate 0, and by reason of the fixed relation of the latter relatively to the plate M and case A this position will be maintained. This feature permits the exact adjustment of the bed-section against any inaccuracies in manufacture, whereby the face of its front board, L, can be adjusted to exactly fit the bottom bar, G, of the base A when the parts are in the closed position.

My invention provides an improvement in the case A for permitting access to the plate P when adjustment is required and for concealin g this plate ordinarily. This preferably consists of a guard Q, constituting a removable extension of the side board, D, of the case. This guard Q fits removably upon the front and top edge of the forward portion g of the side wall, D, terminating at its lower edge below the screws f of the clamping-plate P and constructed when removed to permit free access to these screws, and when in 130' sition to conceal them and the pivotal connection from view.

My invention provides an improved friction-brake for resisting movem ent of the folding section. In the construction shown this consists of a frictional surface R on the one section and a shoe S on the other part en gaging said track to resist movement of the parts. Preferably the surface R is camshaped or eccentric relatively to the pivotal axis, and is formed on the plate 0, its point of smallest radius being disposed to engage the shoe S when the section B is in the folded position and its point of largest radius to engage said shoe when the section is in the unfolded position. Preferably the shoe S is movably mounted on the plate M and is elastically forced into engagement with the surface R by one or more compression-springs T, whereby the action of the shoe against the surface increases in force as the most extended portion of the latter engages with the shoe. Thus when the section B is in the folded position the minimum engagement force of the shoe is exerted, and as the section is moved toward the open position this engagement force increases. Preferably the parts are constructed to proportion the engagement force of the shoe at different points to coincide with the increase in the opening tendency of the section B as the latter approaches the unfolded position. By constructing the surface R eccentrically of the pivotal axis the action of the shoe thereagainst has some slight counterbalancing effect on the section B in addition to its clutching action. This effect is dependent upon the degree of eccentricity of the track relatively to the pivotal axis.

Preferably the plate M is constructed with a guideway h and the shoe S with a reciprocal lug i entering and traveling in said guideway for preserving the relative positions of the parts. Preferably the plate M is constructed with a shoulderj, between which and the shoe S the springs T are held, and against the opposite faces of these parts they exert their expansive tension. Preferably the plate M is constructed with a shoulder and the plate 0 with a shoulder Z, which parts come together when the section B is in the folded position, and thereby limit further movement of the section in this direct-ion.

My invention comprises certain improvements in the connection between the counterbalancing-spring and the bed-section. Preferably a counterbalancing-spring U is suitably secured, as by a hook on, to the front piece G of the case at each side, and extending thence rearwardly is connected to a bar V, which is pivotally attached to the bed-section B at one end, preferably by being pivoted to a projection n of the plate 0, and movably engages a track WV on the case A at its other end. Preferably a hook 19 engages one of several notches on the bar V and hooks into the rear end of the spring U for connecting the spring to the bar. Preferably rollers q are carried on the end of the bar for facilitating its movement over the track W.

The bar V is constructed relatively to the track W and its pivotal connection with the section B to vary its position of thrust against the section as the position of the latter varies in operation in such manner as to most advantageously utilize the tension of the spring to substantially counterbalance the unfolding tendency of the sectionin all its positions. In the disposition shown when the section 13 is in the closed position the bar V stands at about an angle of forty five degrees, the spring U being contracted and at its minimum tension, and the bar transferring this tension in large part against the track IV that portion of the tension it transfers through its pivotal connection to the bed-section being simply sufficient to firmly maintain the latter in the closed position. As the section 13 is unfolded, the pivotal connection of the bar V moves downwardly around the stud a, thus gradually moving the bar toward a horizontal position as the bar rides to the rear on its track W. In this movement the bar stretches and consequently increases the tension of the spring U with greater rapidity than would be the case if this spring were connected directly to the bed-section, and by approaching the horizontal position the bar increases the pro portion of the thrust of the spring exerted against its pivotal end,while correspondingly decreasing that exerted against its track end. At the same time the point of pivotal connection between the bar and bed-section moves around the stud a to a position where the tension exerted against it is applied to better advantage than when the section is in the folded position. As the section reaches the completely-unfolded position, the pivotal connection of the bar therewith is raised so as to bring this point slightly beyond the position of greatest advantage of thrust of the bar, whereby the pivotal connection approaches the dead-center between the bar and stud a, whereby at the extreme unfolded position the counterbalancing tension exerted against the folding section is slightly diminished,whereby it is insured that the bed-section will not accidentally fold into the case, considerable force being necessary to start the folding movement sufficiently to inaugurate the maximum counterbalancing action. Great advantage exists in the construction shown for accomplishing this. The spring U being attached to the extreme front portion of the case A and exerting its tension through the bar V in part against the bed-section and in part against a constantly-changing point on the case enables the delicate adjustment of the tensions exerted at the respective points in such manner that the best counterbalancing effect results with the least liability to overthrow the base-section during the unfolding of the bed-section.

It will be seen that my invention provides an improved folding bed, which is easy of operation, cheap, simple and durable of construction, and which can be readily adjusted to meet the various conditions incident to its use.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular construction hereinbefore set forth in its preferred form, but that it can be variously availed of in whole or in part, according to such modifications as circumstances, experience, or the judgment of those skilled in the art may dietate, without departing from its essential features.

Fig. 5 shows a modification in which the plate (here lettered O) is fastened rigidly and directly to the folding section and has the eccentric friction-surface (here lettered R) some distance from the stud, (here lettered 6d,) and the shoe (here lettered S) rides against the inner face of this surface, being carried on the plate M in the same manner as described with reference to Fig. 1,'but acting in the reverse direction.

\Vhat I claim is, in folding beds or similar folding articles, the following-defined novel features and combinations, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, namely:

1. In folding beds or similar devices, a fixed case, and a folding section carried thereby in combination with a pivotal connection be tween said parts consisting of a plate fixed stationarily to said case, another and adjustable plate adjustably connected to said section, a pivotal pin carried by one plate and engaging the other on which pin said section turns, a plate I fixed stationarily to said section between the latter and said adjustable plate, a sliding connection between said stationary and adjustable plates, and clampingscrews locking them together, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In folding beds or similar devices, a fixed case and a folding section carried thereby, said case constructed with a removable side board as Q, in combination with a pivotal connection between said parts adjustably connected to one of said parts for permitting adjustment of their relative positions, and constructed relatively to said case to be exposed to access for adjustment upon removal of said side board Q.

3. In folding beds or similar devices, the fixed case and a folding section carried thereby, in combination with a pivotal connection between said parts consisting of a plate as O pivotally connected to said case and a plate as P fixed to said section and adj ustably connected to said plate 0.

4. In a folding bed or similar device, a fixed case and a folding section carried thereby, and pivoted thereto on a stationary axis, in combination with an arc-shaped friction-surface carried by one of said parts and an elastic friction-brake and a guideway therefor extending radially from said axis carried by the other of said parts said brake engaging said surface to resist relative movement of said parts.

5. In a folding bed or simliar device, a fixed case and a folding section pivoted thereto on a stationary axis, in combination with an eccentric friction-surface carried by one of said parts and an elastic friction-brake engaging said surface carried by the other of said parts and elastically forced toward said surface, said surface disposed with its point of least eccentricity opposite said brake in the folded position of said section whereby as said section approaches the unfolded position said brake acts with increasing force as the unfolding tendency of said section increases.

6. In folding beds or similar devices, a fixed case and a folding section carried thereby, in combination with a pivotal connection between said parts consisting of a plate as O on the one and a plate as M on the other pivoted together, and said plate O-having a surface R, and said plate M having a guideway h, a brake-shoe S engaging said surface and moving in said guideway, and a spring forcing said shoe toward said surface, as and for the purpose set forth.

'7. In a folding bed, the combination with a fixed casing, and a folding section or bed proper pivoted in the lower part of said casing, of a bar pivotally connected to the bed at a point eccentric to the pivots of the bed, the free end of said bar being adapted to travel relatively to and supported by the casing, and a counte rbalancing-spring connected with the casing and with said bar, substantially as described.

8. In a folding bed, the combination with a fixed casing, and a folding section or bed proper pivoted in the lower part of said casing, of a bar pivotally connected to the bed at a point below and in front of the pivot of the bed when the latter is closed, said bar extending rearwardly and having its lower end bearing upon the fixed casing, and a counterbalanc1ng-spring connected with the casing and with the bar, substantially as described.

9. In a folding bed, the combination with a fixed casing, and a folding section or bed proper pivoted in the lower part of said casing, of a bar pivotally connected to the bed at a point eccentric to the pivots of the bed, the free end of said bar being adapted to bear upon the casing,- a rail or guide for the bar upon said casing, and a counterbalaneingspring having one end connected with the casing and its other end connected with the bar, substantially as described.

10. In a folding bed, the combination with a fixed casing, and a folding section or bed proper pivoted in the lower part of said casing, of a bar pivotally connected to the bed at a point eccentric to the pivots of the bed, the free end of the bar being adapted to travel upon the casing, and a counterbalaneingspring connected with the casin g and bar, said bar being pivoted to the bed at a point so lo cated that the pivots of the bed and bar shall be in line, or nearly so, with the bar when the bed is down and at right angles, or nearly so, With the bar when the bed is raised, as and for the purpose described.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JACOB CIIRLT.

Witnesses:

Gnoncn H. FRASER, CHARLES K. FRAsnR. 

